“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Prov 12:15). The longing to always DO right is prompted by God’s Spirit in our spirit; the longing to always BE right is prompted by the flesh in our ego: victory says yes to the first and […]
“God…made us alive together with Christ…and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:4-6). They say the only job where you start at the top is digging a hole. But they mustn’t have heard about God’s business! He starts us at the very top, then […]
“But this I say, brethren, the time is short…For the form [present state] of this world is passing away” (1 Cor 7:29-31). In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday. We shouldn’t live FOR the present, but we need to use the present wisely, buying up opportunities while we have them to invest in eternity. […]
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps 23:1). Hebrews 13:5 says to resist covetousness by being “content with such things as you have,” but look what we have! “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Is He enough? […]
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Php 3:12). Who you are now and who you hope to become requires a bridge of honest reality between the two. Today I need […]
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Prov 27:6). Some of us are good at dishing it out, but find it hard to take correction. But friends who know and love us should be encouraged to give it to us straight. Like God, they hurt to heal […]
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:8). God’s simple program for your success: First, stand up for what’s right; second, speak up for the needy; and third, show up […]
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Php 1:6). Setting expectations for others so they meet our goals leads to frustration; desiring them to grow into God’s design—at the Spirit’s pace—is the path of encouragement and success. […]
“Bless the Lord, O my soul…who satisfies (fills) your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps 103:2, 5). An empty bucket doesn’t pour; we need to be taking it in as fast as we’re sharing heaven’s blessings with needy ones around us. Thankfully “the river of God is […]